Losing almost 5 1/2 pounds in 25 days may not sound like much to some, but it’s the little things accompanying the drop that count to Mark Stach.
“Probably the most interesting thing is I’ve already lost a couple of inches from my waist,” said Stach, 35, who is in the midst of a three-month weight-training/makeover program he won in Motiv8 Fitness’ Fit Eye for the Fat Guy contest, which Q is monitoring.
Added Motiv8 Fitness President Jill Davis, who is working as Stach’s personal trainer: “Considering that part of those days were the holidays, [it’s] a great achievement. Most people gain weight over the holidays, and that he was actually able to have a weight loss is excellent.”
Stach weathered stiff caloric competition during the joyous holiday season in his quest to get down to a fit 185 pounds–his weight five years ago when he married Victoria–by the time the 12-week program ends in March.
Stach weighed 204 pounds on Jan. 5, down from 209.4 pounds on Dec. 10, partly because he kept what he ate in check with the help of healthy-eating expert Sara Hauber.
“When . . . you notice that your pants are loose, it kind of gives you that motivation to not eat the cookies,” Stach said.
He is also shedding pounds because of a weight-training program that is “evolving” with each session.
“I’ve never really worked with a trainer like this before,” Stach explained of his sessions with Davis, who noted that Stach has “probably lost more than [3 1/2] pounds of fat since he’s gaining muscle, and muscle weighs more than fat.”
Stach grunts it out three times a week at Motiv8’s facilities on Chicago’s North Side, and he also sweats an additional 45 minutes three times a week on an elliptical machine in his home. As a result, “his body is looking much better,” Davis said.
The work has already paid early dividends: “My wife really notices the difference,” Stach said, “and I think that’s encouraging. I definitely have a lot more energy.”
To be continued . . .
